How to deal with wins?

EricW · #1 09-23-2005, 04:50 AM

Ok, this isn't a joke.

When I go through downswings, well, I'm feeling down etc like most people. However, when I go through the upswing, that's when my confidence seems to take a turn for the worst.

I normally play $20 sit n gos and if I'm on a bit of an upswing, I start to really worry about losing. I become more passive hoping to not lose the money that I won. Furthermore, I keep dreading that I'll go through a downswing and lose the money that I've won.

What are somethings that i can do to combat this? Perhaps jumping down in limits for a bit until I regain my wits?

Opinions please

runout_mick · #2 09-23-2005, 06:15 AM

You're never up. You're never down. There are no streaks.

All there is, is the hand that's in front of you at this moment. If you are doing the most you can with these cards, with the information you have and the situation you are currently in, that's all you can do. Whether it's folding, betting, or raising; poker is a moment by moment endeavor.

Take care of the short term, and all the long terms take care of themselves...

#3 09-23-2005, 07:03 AM

Try not to take much notice of your bankroll balance, which fluctuates up and down as a natural consequence of randomness in the cards you are dealt. Just because you won doesn't always mean you played well.

Instead focus on your overall win rate stats in BB/100, which fluctuate much more slowly and always be thinking about whether you could be doing better.

Marlow · #4 09-23-2005, 10:49 AM

Great advice in the first two responses. But here's some practical advice:

Don't check PT while you play.
Don't look at account balances while you play.

And then do what the others say: just focus 100% on the hand you have.

I have this same problem and it's taken me a long time to start to figure out. But the above has helped me.

Marlow

DRKEVDC · #5 09-23-2005, 11:44 AM

Experts say when you are trying to lose weight don't look at the scales everyday, it will only make you crazy when you lose 2 gain 3 lose 4 etc. Look every couple of weeks and make sure that you are going in the right direction. Try this same thing with your bankroll, I think it will help.